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I wish to share with you our latest, and more productive, Community Service event!

On Saturday, September 7, 2019, we gathered and tidied up, 67 full size garbage bags in the area of Benito Juarez, between the 2 tunnels.We were able to do that in less than 1 hour.

That is incredible!

An additional reason is that we were so fortunate to have an extra 12 young persons to assist us, who were referred to us by Alex Breceda, who providesfree exercise training to persons that may not be able to pay for that.

This is our 5th event, and so far, we have gathered over 250 bags of garbage, that are off our streets.

REMAX Puerto Vallarta is also working with the city, that we will pay for, and install more garbage containers, in all areas of Puerto Vallarta.

This shall be done, firstly with education and information about the times of the pick-up’s of the garbage, but also with re-usable grocery bags to minimize the front-end of the garbage situation.

How we are going to do this is with: fund raisers, donations from restaurants, from our sponsors, and from our real estate community, both agency’s and developers.Our communities, too!

We are not looking at the city to assist us, as I believe if you see a problem, fix it.

If you can share this message, as well as like our REMAX Facebook page, you shall receive our next community service location, as well as the other fund-raisers we shall be having; that would be wonderful.

We live here, love it and enjoy it incredibly, so I suggest to get more persons involved to make it even better.

When you see the RE/MAX lime green shirt, please say thank you, as that person earned it by doing community service; for all of us!

Functional Fun: Three-Day Mosaic Workshops Teach Skills & Inspire

September is upon us, and that means the snowbirds will soon begin their annual winter migration. Work will be picking up again at the Tile Park, too. As summer’s humidity begins to loosen its grip, giving way to those warm and mild days we love so much, we’ll be back at it full force. This also means the 2019-2020 workshop season will be ramping up, so if you’ve been thinking you’d like to join one, reach out to us ASAP!

If you want some new things to do in Puerto Vallarta this winter, workshops at the Tile Park are an excellent option. They are three days long and take you through the entire mosaic process end to end. The first day is spent planning and plotting the design, and getting started on the tiling. Day two is all tiles, all the time: cutting, shaping, and sticking them, bringing your design to life right before your eyes. On day three, the grouting gets done, cementing all your hard work right into Vallarta’s history books. A great way to express your creativity, and learn a new skill too! Your backyard picnic table is no longer safe. Nothing in your home is, really.

Nat learned the art of mosaic from renowned outsider artist Isaiah Zagar and has spent the last several years refining her own technique and style as an artist. She loves to “talk shop” where all things art are concerned, not just mosaic. She never stops learning about other artists, new materials and methods, and the world around us too. So, workshops offer the unadvertised special of inspiration from Nat and your fellow workshop participants. You spend three days in this space with fellow creators, talking about art, making art, and you really do come away inspired.

It’s a great way to get involved in one of the most exciting public art projects in Mexico, and not just for all the good feels and camaraderie either. The park is now classified as federally protected land, meaning it can’t be demolished in favor of development.

So the work you do will remain forever! Been coming to Vallarta for 20 years? Fantastic… it’ll be there for every one of your next 20… and beyond. The project is nearing the halfway point, and the transformation is truly astounding. This is what it looks like half-done…the finished product is going to be out of this world! Check out some of our past workshops: https://www.tileparkpv.com/workshops.

For the upcoming season, the workshops will be structured a little differently.
The schedule has yet to be finalized and posted online, but you can still reserve your spot! Just drop us a line https://www.tileparkpv.com/contactus to nail down some dates and secure your reservation.
The summer break is nice, but we’re looking forward to seeing your smiling face around the park again, too. If you’re a migratory bird, be sure to swing through once your voyage is complete! We have lots to show you.

PUERTO VALLARTA PREPARES TO RECEIVE AND CARE FOR MORE THAN 130 THOUSAND TURTLES

Puerto Vallarta was the home of 2,700 turtle nests in 2018, giving birth to 130,000 turtles, so this year the city is preparing its 14 kilometers of coastline to receive and care for them during this breeding season.

Currently, Puerto Vallarta is the only city to have a sea turtle protection plan on the Mexican Pacific, which has led to making Puerto Vallarta the best place in the country to see them in their habitat, the result of years of effort in conservation. The city records an 85% hatching rate.

The effort has also involved some hotels in the area such as the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, Barceló Puerto Vallarta and Velas Vallarta, which as part of its attractions offer visitors to be part of the experience.

The task is not simple. The possibility of nesting occurs along the 14 kilometers of coastline, where Puerto Vallarta gathers thousands of tourists throughout the year to enjoy its beaches. However, there are some actions that tourists can carry out to contribute to the conservation of the species, such as avoiding throwing cigarette butts or leaving coal from the campfire on the beach, as they are substances that affect the degree of hatching of eggs.

In this part of the Mexican Pacific, four of the eight species of sea turtles are registered worldwide: black, hawksbill, lute and golf, the latter being the most popular.

In 2018 there was a great find, a new species of turtle was discovered, unique in the world and that exists only in Puerto Vallarta, so they registered it as “Casquito de Vallarta”.

Officially, the season is from August to December, however, several of them begin to arrive from mid-July.

When we moved from Canada we brought our one dog, Toby, with us. We had committed to being a one dog family (having had multiple animals in the past, and now having kids, we thought this the sane thing to do).

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – One of the risks of living in Puerto Vallarta is that if you are an animal lover you are at high risk of increasing the size of your pack! The large number of street animals and the Facebook posts of those needing help all make you think that maybe there’s room for just one more family member.

And so it was with our family.

When we moved from Canada we brought our one dog, Toby, with us. We had committed to being a one dog family (having had multiple animals in the past, and now having kids, we thought this the sane thing to do). We got Toby when Justin was 4 and Tianna was 3.As it turned out Toby and Justin bonded and Toby soon became “Justin’s dog.” After a short while in Puerto Vallarta Tianna let us know that she would like to have a dog of her own to care for. As all good and not so rational parents eventually do, and after months of negotiation, we gave in.

I called our friend Lynette, who works with many of the animal organizations here in Puerto Vallarta, and started the process. Our requests were pretty specific and we expected the process to take awhile. It turned out that we were very naive. The following morning Lynette called to tell us that the Colina Spay and Neuter clinic had an abandoned and abused little poodle mix in need of a home. We picked up Estrella that day and with time and love she has become a great, albeit pampered, part of our family.

Fast forward 2 years … as we returned one evening from taking Toby and Estrella for a walk we came across an abandoned puppy at the door of our condo building. Clearly cold and scared we couldn’t leave him there for the night and took him in until we could find someone to adopt him. This may not have been the best plan, as the kids (okay and me), quickly became attached to Mikey (naming him was the kiss of death).And so Mikey, nicknamed ‘Diablo’ (lovingly, and for good reason) by those who knew him, became part of our family. We all convinced ourselves that this was it. No more animals. If only there was a procedure or drug that would make it so you can’t or don’t even think of taking more animals into your home.

Unfortunately when we recently found Bruno (or more accurately, when he found us), a neglected and sick dog eating out of the garbage on the street, we knew we couldn’t leave him there. We would just take him in, clean him up, feed him and take him to the vet. Then we would find him a good home. Well, and I know this is a shocker, Bruno is now part of our family.

And so you don’t think that I am the only one that has gone loco, I have friends in Puerto Vallarta with many more animal family members than us – some as many as 13 or 14.

So a warning to those animal lovers out there: It is almost impossible to not grow your family here!

Maybe we need to start an Animal Lovers Anonymous chapter, or maybe we just need to get over it and love our animal friends unconditionally as they do us, and realize that we wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you are interested in adopting a pet in Puerto Vallarta, or supporting the local organizations that do such great work here, these are just a few of the many:

Warren Brander is an expert real estate agent working with Remax in Puerto Vallarta. He can be reached at 322-200-2253, or by email at warren(at)remaxinpv.com. You can also check out his website for a great selection of Puerto Vallarta condos and homes for sale at WarrenBrander.com.To learn more about Warren Brander Real Estate, click HERE.

DON’T MISS THESE RIVIERA NAYARIT FAIRS, FIESTAS, AND TRADITIONS

The true essence of Mexico is best experienced through its traditions, the legacy of the Spaniards and indigenous people. Fairs, religious festivities, and other colorful ancestral celebrations are part and parcel of Mexican life, all of them vibrant with music, chants, food, and fun.

In the Riviera Nayarit, these events also help to promote tourism in coastal towns such as Bucerías and Sayulita, for example, where every year religious festivities attract thousands of visitors. Gastronomy and music are a fundamental part of the celebrations.

Consider the Riviera Nayarit for your next vacation! Here’s a list of the Fairs, Fiestas, and Traditions you cannot miss!

Bucerías’ Feast of Our Lady of Peace
The Bucerías Patron Saints Feast in honor of our Lady of Peace has traditionally been held between January 16 and 24 for the past 59 years. Besides being an essential part of local tradition, over the past few years, it has become a tourist attraction as well. Cultural, artistic, and athletic activities take place during the festivities, but there’s no doubt one of the most colorful is the fishermen’s seafaring pilgrimage. The fishermen deck their boats out with flowers, colorful ribbons, and religious motifs. The plaza is dotted with stands selling Mexican treats; there is folk dancing, fireworks, and lots of other activities that involve both locals and visitors.

San Blas Patron Saint Festivities
Every February 3 the people of San Blas celebrate the Patron Saint who protects hunters with a very colorful and unique party. The activities begin at dawn with a heartfelt rendition of “Las Mañanitas” and the traditional Midnight Mass. The celebration includes dances, processions on land and sea aboard gaily decorated boats, and the main pilgrimage lead by an image of the saint. The procession leaves the church to bless the ocean so the seamen can have a successful fishing season and prosperity comes to the port.

Bucerías Oyster Festival
Every April 28 Bucerías hosts one of its most symbolic events. The Oyster Festival celebrates local oyster divers with a party that emphasizes togetherness and brotherhood within the community. That day marks the end of the season for the El Punto oyster bank (separate from the general conclusion of the season on June 1). Other festival activities include crowning the festival queen, who represents the divers and is chosen by the festival attendees. Of note is the fact this event is unique in the region and is one of the many great attractions offered by the Riviera Nayarit.

The Battle of the Saints in Mexcaltitán
The Battle of the Saints is one of the most representative traditional ceremonies on Mexcaltitán island, located in the municipality of Santiago Ixcuintla. The festivities are in honor of San Pedro and San Pablo; the community prays to them for a good shrimp season. On June 29 a pilgrimage is made emulating the Mexicas or Aztecs, who are said to have left Aztlán to establish the great city of Tenochtitlán.

Jala and Xalisco Corn Festival
The communities of Jala and Xalisco—located a short distance from the coast of Nayarit—celebrate several events to commemorate their Corn Festival (Feria del Elote). This celebration takes place on August 13-15 and includes cultural activities and artistic presentations. In Jala, they also host horse races and a traditional contest for the biggest ear of corn in the world. Of note is the fact this particular celebration takes place during the patron saint festivities in honor of the Virgin of the Assumption.

Feast of St Francis
The Cultural Capital of the Riviera Nayarit celebrates its patron saint festivities in honor of St Francis of Assisi from September 26 – October 4. During those days the Plaza del Sol and the town itself are brimming with athletic, religious, artistic, and cultural activities. As tradition dictates, the Friendship Torch is raffled off, and the novena begins in honor of the Patron Saint.

Day of the Dead in Sayulita | Bucerías
According to legend, the souls of the departed return during the first days of November to visit their loved ones. The Magical Town of Sayulita prepares a welcome from October 31 – November 2 with the ¡Vivan los Muertos! (Long Live the Dead!) Festival with a program filled with music, flowers, processions, and delicious offerings, not to mention a colorful riot of altars for the dead. The festival has been held for the past nine years to help preserve Mexican tradition. It’s an experience much beloved by both locals and visitors from abroad.

This year, Bucerías will join in the festivities with a cultural and artistic program, though it’s well-known that the town already hosts a traditional exhibit of altars for the dead in the main square.

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sayulita
The Magical Town of Sayulita celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe from December 1 – 12. The festival and its demonstration of faith bring together families, businesses, and civil associations from around the community as well as neighboring towns and tourists. During the novena, the different neighborhoods host processions with floats in honor of the Virgin. The townspeople then accompany the floats through the main road to the sanctuary created in the Virgin’s honor at the town’s central plaza. The organizing committee also coordinates other cultural activities besides the pilgrimages, with the main festivities occurring on December 12.

RIVIERA NAYARIT RENEWS ITS BLUE FLAG CERTIFICATIONS

On Monday, July 15, 2019, Blue Flag certificates were awarded to the beach at Nuevo Vallarta Norte and the Marina Riviera Nayarit during a ceremony headed by Miguel Torruco Marqués, Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, and Antonio Echeverría García, Governor of the State of Nayarit. Both venues are in the municipality of Bahía de Banderas in the Riviera Nayarit. The Lagoon at Santa María del Oro (municipality of Santa María del Oro), and the Marina Fonatur San Blas (municipality of San Blas) are also within the Riviera Nayarit.

The event took place at the Marina Fonatur in the Historic Port of San Blas, where they raised the corresponding flag. This occasion marked the first time the marina received this international certification.

Thanks to these credentials, the state of Nayarit has become an example for the nation. According to Torruco Marqués, this “speaks to the commitment the tourism service providers and the community have with the environment.”

He stated that over the next three decades, people would have more free time and more income. Therefore, “those nations that best preserve their environment and, above all, conserve their historical, cultural, and culinary identity, will be the ones who will participate fully in the extraordinary economic revenue generated by tourism.”

Ana Cecilia Llanos Guzmán, Secretary of Tourism of the State of Nayarit, also made a distinguished appearance at the event, along with the municipal presidents of Bahía de Banderas, Jaime Cuevas Tello, and Candy Yescas, from San Blas.

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) sets the protocols for Blue Flag certifications. Joaquín Díaz Ríos, executive director for the entity’s Mexico chapter, offered the explanatory statements: The main criteria taken into account for this award are water quality, environmental education and management, safety, and services.

Of note is the fact the certification is valid for one year. Because of this, at the end of every summer the beaches are up for recertification after an exhaustive evaluation.

MORE INFO:

+ According to statistics offered by the Ministry of Tourism, Mexico is first in line in Latin America as to the number of Blue Flags received and in 13th place worldwide.

+ Currently, 54 beaches and three marinas in 13 municipalities and six states in Mexico have the certification: Baja California Sur, Nayarit, Jalisco, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Quintana Roo.

+ The Riviera Nayarit received its first Blue Flag for the beach at Nuevo Vallarta Norte in 2013, which has maintained its certification since then.

+ The Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle received its Blue Flag in 2015, the first of its kind to receive this international award.

+ The lagoon at Santa María del Oro raised its first Blue Flag in August of 2016.

The perception of insecurity increased in the municipalities of Guadalajara and Zapopan, while Puerto Vallarta, Tonalá, Tlaquepaque, and Tonalá, came out better qualified during the second quarter of the year, according to the National Survey of Urban Public Safety of the National Institute of Geography and Statistics.

The highest percentage of people who feel safe in their Jalisco city was Puerto Vallarta. The perception of insecurity decreased from 57.4 to 43.1%, meaning 56.9% of the population consider Puerta Vallarta as a safe place to live. This is Puerto Vallarta’s highest ranking since the quarterly surveys started.

According to INEGI data, during the first quarter Guadalajara had a perception of 80.2 percent, while last June, the perception of insecurity increased to 85.0%. In Zapopan, the perception rose from 68.6 to 70.6 percent.

Tonalá had a perception of insecurity in 85.1% of the population during the first three months of the year and dropped to 76.6 in the second quarter.

Tlajomulco decreased from 72.8 to 65.0 percent. In Tlaquepaque, the perception of insecurity was also reduced from 80.2 to 72.6 percent.

According to the most recent National Survey of Urban Public Safety (ENSU), seven out of 10 people perceive the city where they live as insecure, at a percentage of 73.9% of Mexicans feel insecure.

The cities in Mexico where people consider that living is more insecure are: Ecatepec (State of Mexico) 97%; Coatzacoalcos (Veracruz) 94%; Naucalpan (State of Mexico) 94%; Villahermosa (Tabasco) 92%, and Tapachula (Chiapas) with 92.3%.

As a person that lives here year round, I have over-looked the amazing opportunities that exist here for a stay-cation or something a little more or even just a day trip to a local resort for much earned rest and relaxation.

I have attached a day pass guide, created by the Vallarta Tribune.

The costs run from as little to 5 USD to much, much more, but the options are numerous.

Downtown Vallarta Food Tour announced it has been recognized as the fifth place winner in the Food Experiences category of the TripAdvisor Travelers Choice awards for Experiences, ranking #5 out of over 2,200 global food experiences.

The second annual Travelers’ Choice awards for Experiences highlight the world’s top bookable experiences on TripAdvisor, by category and country, based on the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings by travelers worldwide.

With more than 200,000 experiences on TripAdvisor, these winners are in an extremely competitive field and represent the best-of-the-best with only 1% receiving this award.

Back in 2011, Paul Mayer and Lindsay Prime Mayer started Puerto Vallarta Food Tours with the tag “Become a local in 3 hours”. Thousands of “new locals” later, Vallarta Food Tour’s Original Downtown Tour has been recognized as a top ten food experience (#5) in the world by Trip Advisor and #1 tour in Puerto Vallarta out of 255.

Food tours have become a favorite among travelers who are eager to learn and enjoy the best the city has to offer in a short time. With more than 8 tours on the roster, travelers can enjoy a variety of regional dishes including mole, fresh ceviche, birria tacos, refreshing tuba, succulent coconut, and a tortilla straight out of the conveyer belt! All with a good smattering of the city’s sights, history, and people.

Co-founder Lindsay Prime started the tour after realizing that many people were stuck in tourist traps, missing the best that Puerto Vallarta has to offer.

“People often ask us ‘where do the locals go to eat?’ We wanted to create an experience for people to learn not only where locals eat, but also the history of the dishes and their importance in Mexican culture,” Lindsay enthusiastically explains, “We love living here and wanted to showcase the food, the culture, the families, the history. Vallarta Food Tours allows us to do just that!”